Investigation of an Ablation-dominated Arc in a Model Chamber by Optical Emission Spectroscopy

Authors

  • R. Methling Leibniz-Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489 Greifswald
  • A. Khakpour Leibniz-Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489 Greifswald
  • S. Wetzeler Institute for High Voltage Technology, RWTH Aachen University, Schinkelstrasse 2, 52056 Aachen
  • D. Uhrlandt Leibniz-Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 2, 17489 Greifswald

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14311/ppt.2017.2.153

Keywords:

ablation, switching arc, spectroscopy

Abstract

A switching arc in a model chamber is investigated by means of optical emission spectroscopy. Ignition wire is applied to initiate an arc of several kiloampere between tungsten−copper electrodes. Radiation emitted by the arc plasma is absorbed by a surrounding PTFE nozzle, leading to an ablation–dominated discharge. Video spectroscopy is carried out using an imaging spectrometer combined with a high–speed video camera. Carbon ion and fluorine atom line emission from the heating channel as well as copper, oxygen and nitrogen from ignition wire and ambient air are analyzed with focus on the low–current phases at the beginning of discharge and near current zero. Additionally, electrical parameters and total pressure are recorded while the general behavior of the discharge is observed by another video camera. Considering rotational symmetry of the arc the corresponding radial emission coefficients are determined. Finally, radial temperature profiles are calculated.

References

M. Seeger. Future perspectives on high voltage circuit breaker research. Plasma Physics and Technology, 2(3):271–279, 2015.

R. Methling, St. Franke, D. Uhrlandt, S. Gorchakov, F. Reichert, and A. Petchanka. Spectroscopic study of arc temperature profiles of a switching-off process in a model chamber. Plasma Physics and Technology, 2(2):163–166, 2015.

R. Kozakov, M. Kettlitz, K.-D. Weltmann, A. Steffens, and C. M. Franck. Temperature profiles of an ablation controlled arc in PTFE: I. spectroscopic measurements. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 40(8):2499–2506, 2007. doi:10.1088/0022-3727/40/8/013.

D. Eichhoff, P.G. Nikolic, and A. Schnettler. Basic study on the dynamic behaviour of asymmetrically blown arcs in non–rotationally symmetric nozzle arrangements. In Proceedings of XXth Symposium on Physics of Switching Arc, pages 126–129. Brno University of Technology, 2013.

C. B. Ruchti and L. Niemeyer. Ablation controlled arcs. IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci., 14:423–434, 1986. doi:10.1109/TPS.1986.4316570.

M. Seeger, L. Niemeyer, T. Christen, M. Schwinne, and R. Dommerque. An integral arc model for ablation controlled arcs based on CFD simulations. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 39(10):2180–2191, 2006. doi:10.1088/0022-3727/39/10/029.

Downloads

Published

2017-02-11

Issue

Section

Articles